Parameter processing device for setting a parameter value using a movable slide operator and including means for fine-adjusting the parameter value

Abstract

A parameter processing device that allows setting of a critical parameter value includes a movable slide operator on a scale of a predetermined length, and two fine-adjustment switches provided integral to the slide operator. In the operation of setting a parameter value, a rough parameter value is set by moving the slide operator. Then, one of the fine-adjustment switches is depressed to fine-adjust the set rough parameter value. Here, the level of the depressed pressure is detected by an internal pressure sensor. The detected level of the depressed pressure is converted into a corresponding fine-adjustment granularity. The rough parameter value is updated using the obtained fine-adjustment granularity. Thus, a fine parameter value can be set easily that could not previously be set by just moving the slide operator. The setting of a parameter having a wide range can easily be carried out even in a limited region.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A parameter processing device for sequentially entering and providing a parameter value to be adjusted, comprising: display means for displaying at least a scale of a predetermined length and a slide operator movable on said scale,   designation input means for entering designation of position information of said slide operator on said scale, and fine-adjustment position information for fine-adjusting said parameter value,   detection means for detecting said designated input of said slide operator position information and said fine-adjustment position information,   parameter value conversion means for converting said detected slide operator position information into a corresponding parameter value,   fine-adjustment granularity conversion means for converting distance information of said detected slide operator position information and said fine-adjustment position information into a corresponding fine-adjustment granularity of said parameter value, and   adjustment means for adjusting said parameter value from said parameter value conversion means using said fine-adjustment granularity from said fine-adjustment granularity conversion means, wherein variation in fine-adjustment granularity corresponds to a shifted amount of a cursor according to said distance information of said detected slide operator and said cursor on said scale.   
     
     
       2. The parameter processing device according to claim 1, wherein said parameter value conversion means comprises a parameter value conversion table having a plurality of said slide operator position information and corresponding plurality of said parameter values stored therein, and   means for reading out said parameter value corresponding to said detected slide operator position information from said parameter value conversion table.   
     
     
       3. The parameter processing device according to claim 2, wherein said fine-adjustment position information comprises one of first fine-adjustment position information in a first region between said slide operator on said scale and one end of said scale in a longitudinal direction and second fine-adjustment position information in a second region between said slide operator on said scale and another end of said scale in the longitudinal direction,   said distance information comprises one of first distance information by said slide operator position information and said first fine-adjustment position information, and second distance information by said slide operator position information and said second fine-adjustment position information, and   said fine-adjustment granularity comprises one of a positive fine-adjustment granularity corresponding to said first distance information for fine-adjustment to increase said parameter value and a negative fine-adjustment granularity corresponding to said second distance information for fine-adjustment to decrease said parameter value.   
     
     
       4. The parameter processing device according to claim 3, wherein said fine-adjustment granularity conversion means comprises a positive adjustment granularity conversion table having a plurality of said positive fine-adjustment granularities and corresponding plurality of said first distance information stored therein,   a negative adjustment granularity conversion table having a plurality of said negative fine-adjustment granularities and corresponding plurality of said second distance information stored therein, and   means for reading out one of said positive fine-adjustment granularity and said negative fine-adjustment granularity corresponding to one of said detected first and second distance information from one of said positive and negative adjustment granularity conversion tables.   
     
     
       5. The parameter processing device according to claim 4, wherein respective said positive and negative adjustment granularity conversion tables are set so that respective corresponding positive and negative fine-adjustment granularities are increased as a distance to said slide operator in said first region indicated by said first distance information and a distance to said slide operator in said second region indicated by said second distance information are increased. 
     
     
       6. The parameter processing device according to claim 1, wherein said fine-adjustment position information comprises one of first fine-adjustment position information in a first region between said slide operator on said scale and one end of said scale in a longitudinal direction and second fine-adjustment position information in a second region between said slide operator on said scale and another end of said scale in the longitudinal direction,   said distance information comprises one of first distance information by said slide operator position information and said first fine-adjustment position information, and second distance information by said slide operator position information and said second fine-adjustment position information, and   said fine-adjustment granularity comprises one of a positive fine-adjustment granularity corresponding to said first distance information for fine-adjustment to increase said parameter value and a negative fine-adjustment granularity corresponding to said second distance information for fine-adjustment to decrease said parameter value.   
     
     
       7. The parameter processing device according to claim 6, wherein said fine-adjustment granularity conversion means comprises a positive adjustment granularity conversion table having a plurality of said positive fine-adjustment granularities and corresponding plurality of said first distance information stored therein,   a negative adjustment granularity conversion table having a plurality of said negative fine-adjustment granularities and corresponding plurality of said second distance information stored therein, and   means for reading out one of said positive fine-adjustment granularity and said negative fine-adjustment granularity corresponding to one of said detected first and second distance information from one of said positive and negative adjustment granularity conversion tables.   
     
     
       8. The parameter processing device according to claim 7, wherein respective said positive and negative adjustment granularity conversion tables are set so that respective corresponding positive and negative fine-adjustment granularities are increased as a distance to said slide operator in said first region indicated by said first distance information and a distance to said slide operator in said second region indicated by said second distance information are increased.